International Federation of Journalists elects new president during centenary congress

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) held a four-day centenary congress in Paris, attended by approximately 300 delegates representing 600,000 journalists globally. Zuliana Lainez from Peru was elected as the new president, succeeding Dominique Pradalié of France, who held the position from 2022 to 2026. The new 22-member Executive Committee includes 11 women, among whom is Maria Antoniadou, president of the Journalists' Union of the Athens Daily Newspapers (ESIEA), marking the first time a Greek journalist has served on the IFJ's highest body. Discussions focused on journalist safety, the impact of artificial intelligence on the industry, youth participation in unions, gender equality, and future working conditions. The new president highlighted the severe threats facing journalists in conflict zones, specifically mentioning Palestine, Ukraine, Lebanon, Sudan, and Latin America. The congress also underscored the essential role of unions in defending professional ethics and employment stability.